His wife, Laurie Huevermann, 63, choked up as she spoke. "It's hard to find words," she said. "My mother used to say, 'Take a picture with your mind.'"

Capt. Jim Wetherbee, a former astronaut who flew six space missions between 1990 and 2002, came to Culver to experience his first total eclipse. "It was pretty freaky-awesome," he said. "I was surprised by how bright the corona was."

Even astronomical interpreter Tim Merrill, who had narrated the experience, was affected. It was his first totality and before the event he said he thought he would be able to remain composed.